French in Action is a 52-episode video-based French course created by Yale professor Pierre Capretz, teaching language and culture through immersive storytelling without English translation.
What is French in Action?
French in Action is a pioneering video-based French language course produced by Yale University, WGBH Boston, and Wellesley College in 1987. Created by Professor Pierre Capretz, the 52 half-hour episodes teach French through total immersion—conducted almost entirely in French with visual context conveying meaning. Students follow the story of Robert Taylor, an American student, and Mireille Belleau, a French woman, as they navigate life in Paris. The series developed a cult following after its PBS debut and remains one of the most respected free resources for French learners.
Key Takeaways
- 52 half-hour episodes filmed on location in Paris and the French countryside
- Free to stream through Annenberg Learner (U.S. and Canada only)
- Equivalent to approximately two years of college French instruction
- Uses total immersion—French is learned through context, not translation
- Supplementary textbooks and workbooks available through Yale University Press
Where to Access French in Action
The Capretz Method
French in Action operates on a radical principle: French is French, not coded English. Rather than translating words, students learn meaning through observation—watching native speakers in authentic contexts, interpreting gestures, facial expressions, and situational cues. Each episode opens with a brief English introduction providing context, then immerses viewers in French for the remainder. This mirrors how children acquire their first language: through exposure and pattern recognition rather than explicit grammar rules. The method demands patience initially but builds genuine comprehension rather than translation dependency.
Is It Right for Your Homeschool?
French in Action works best for self-motivated learners comfortable with ambiguity. The early episodes can feel overwhelming—you won't understand everything, and that's intentional. Students must trust the process as comprehension gradually emerges. The 1987 production values show their age (fashion, technology), which some find charming and others distracting. For homeschoolers, the program offers serious French instruction at no cost, but most successful users pair it with the companion textbooks for grammar support and practice exercises. It's rigorous enough to prepare students for college-level French.
The Bottom Line
French in Action remains remarkable: a genuinely rigorous, immersive French program available completely free. For homeschool families seeking alternatives to app-based learning or expensive tutoring, it delivers university-quality instruction that has produced fluent speakers for decades. The catch is commitment—this isn't gamified or instantly gratifying. But students who persist through early confusion often emerge with comprehension skills that translation-based programs struggle to develop.
